Portrait of butcher meets Royal Society’s standards

A former Wymondam High Academy student has been selected to showcase her art alongisde professional artists at a gallery in London. Left, Laura McDonald and, right, Liz Pierce, Chair of Norwich branch of the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies with Laura's portrait of butcher Mr Parkes.

Laura McDonald was handpicked out of 277 entries after the Royal Society of British Artists partnered with The National Association of Decorative Fine Arts Societies to find the most outstanding work by a final year A-level student nationally.

Laura said: “I am absolutely delighted to have my work recognised at this exhibition, and I would like to thank the Decorative and Fine Art Society for giving me the opportunity to display my work.”

Laura’s final piece was based around a theme of ‘Inside Out’ and she had a suitable subject in mind when the topic was announced.

“From an early age it was always a real treat to be taken to Mr Parkes the butchers, who always offered my older sister and I some cooked ham,” she said.

Miss McDonald decided to ask Mr Parkes if she could spend some time alongside him taking photos and making sketches while he worked.

She said: “I’m really pleased with the end result and I would like to think that others looking at this image can also relate to the exceptional character behind the face and if they can, I have achieved what I set out to do.”

She will be given the title of RBA Scholar while her work is on show.

The young artist’s work will be on show at the RBA’s annual exhibition until March 15.